BREAKING: Kathryn Ruemmler, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of Goldman Sachs, has announced her resignation, effective June 30, 2026. This decision comes amidst a renewed controversy surrounding her past emails linked to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, whose connections have triggered widespread scrutiny of numerous high-profile figures.
The announcement, made late Thursday, follows the release of recently uncovered documents from the U.S. Department of Justice. These documents reveal that Ruemmler had communicated with Epstein just months before his arrest on child sex trafficking charges in July 2019. In a March 2019 correspondence, Ruemmler reportedly advised Epstein on how to handle criticism regarding his controversial 2008 Florida plea deal.
In her resignation statement, Ruemmler expressed pride in her six-year tenure at Goldman Sachs, stating, “It has been my privilege to help oversee the firm’s legal, reputational, and regulatory matters. My responsibility is to put Goldman Sachs’ interests first.” She informed CEO David Solomon of her decision earlier today, citing the desire to prioritize the firm’s reputation amid ongoing challenges.
David Solomon responded by recognizing Ruemmler’s exceptional contributions, declaring, “Throughout her tenure, Kathryn has been an extraordinary general counsel. She has also been a mentor and friend to many of our people, and she will be missed.”
The scrutiny surrounding Ruemmler intensified after the DOJ released emails showing her past interactions with Epstein. While she has maintained that she never represented Epstein as a client, her previous role as a white-collar criminal defense attorney has raised questions about her connections. Her spokeswoman clarified that Ruemmler “knew Epstein when she was a criminal defense attorney and shared a client with him,” highlighting her professional interactions without knowledge of his illegal activities.
Ruemmler’s resignation marks a significant shift in the landscape of Goldman Sachs, following a series of high-profile exits connected to Epstein-related communications. Earlier this year, Brad Karp, chairman of Paul Weiss, stepped down from his post due to similar email revelations, though he remains within the firm. In the UK, Morgan Sweeney resigned as chief of staff to Prime Minister Keir Starmer after linking appointments that faced scrutiny due to Epstein connections.
Goldman Sachs previously defended Ruemmler in November when earlier emails surfaced, with spokesman Tony Fratto asserting that these were “private correspondence well before Kathryn Ruemmler joined Goldman Sachs.” He emphasized her invaluable judgment and contributions to the firm.
The fallout from the Epstein scandal continues to impact numerous professionals, with Ruemmler’s resignation serving as the latest example of the ongoing reckoning with past associations. As investigations unfold, the implications for corporate governance and personal accountability remain in sharper focus.
As developments continue to emerge, the financial and legal communities will be watching closely to see how this affects Goldman Sachs and its leadership structure. Stay tuned for updates on this breaking story.
